Follow the trail to the issues, conversations and information connecting the region.

Dear reader,

Early voting for the March 3rd primary starts today!  Remember that for early voting, you can cast your ballot at any of your county’s early voting locations (unlike Election Day where you’ll need to go to your assigned precinct). 

It feels like this election was discussed even before former Governor Roy Cooper left office in 2024.  Now, Cooper is running for U.S. Senate against five fellow Democrats in the primary. The Republican side of the aisle is also packed with seven candidates including former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and Michele Murrow, controversial 2024 candidate for state superintendent of public instruction.  

Locally, the primary is often the deciding vote for races that only have candidates from one party. 

For example, in Cherokee County two Republican candidates are vying for Sheriff and no Democrats are running. Last week, Sheriff Dustin Smith dropped out of the race and announced that he would be retiring immediately. The district attorney later shared that she had asked Smith to leave office alleging negligence. The two sheriff candidates met on the local debate stage the day that Smith retired.  

A reminder: If you are registered as an unaffiliated voter (and 39% of voters here are!) you get to choose which primary, Republican or Democrat, you want to vote in. This primary election will set the stage for the General Election in November.

What races and candidates are you interested in hearing about?  

You have until Feb 28 at 3pm to cast your early ballot. Don’t forget to bring a photo ID. And if you’re not yet registered to vote, no problem. During early voting you can register on-site.

If you want an absentee ballot, make sure to get that request in before 5pm on Feb 17. 

This week, I took a look at a hot issue in Canton and around the region: data centers. Not sure what those are or why it matters to your power bill? Check out our explanations below.

Check this out

What are data centers? Here's how they could affect your power bill

Data centers are booming across the country with the use of AI, surveillance and cloud technology. At the same time, opposition is growing because of community concerns about impacts to the local power grids, the environment, the economy and more. State and local governments have regulatory powers to manage where data centers are built and to protect consumers against rising utility costs.

Read more...

Town of Canton blocks any potential data center for one year

The Canton Town Council voted unanimously to pause the building of any data centers for one year following dozens of residents speaking out in opposition at Wednesday evening’s public hearing. 

Read more..

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• Elected officials from Buncombe County and Asheville testified at the legislature this week, pushing back on allegations that their equity policies violated civil rights laws. Lawmakers also pressed Asheville's leaders about the city's budget deficit. Mayor Esther Manheimer said Helene "continues to have a significant impact on the city's finances." (NC Local and NC Newsline) 

• Judge rejects Democrats’ plea for early voting sites at 3 North Carolina universities (Associated Press) 

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission  entered into a $290 million Good Neighbor Agreement to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.  (U.S. Forest Service) 

• Lost and Found: Hurricane Helene swept away many beloved possessions for Western North Carolina residents. Meet the teams working to reunite people with their missing mementos. (The Assembly)

• Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers announced last week that the town will receive more than $5.7 million to build a new firehouse in Canton.

• U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards presented a check to the Town of Franklin $4.32 million on Saturday for a new High Service Pump Station and a Clear Well. (Macon Media) 

• Cherokee County GOP officially opened the application for a new sheriff on Friday. Because former Sheriff Dustin Smith was elected as a Republican, it is the responsibility of the party to find a replacement who is then confirmed by the County Commissioners. (Cherokee County GOP) 

• Local man shines on 'American Idol' (Cherokee Scout) Watch the story of the Murphy native and hear him sing!

• The now 230-acre Winding Stairs Alpha Fire in the Nantahala National Forest is 90% contained thanks, in part, to yesterday's rain. Investigators are asking anyone who was traveling along Hwy 64 between 9:30am and 10am on Monday to submit any information/photos to derik.breedlove@usda.gov. (U.S Forest Service)

My Favorite Trail: Ren Larson

Ren Larson is an investigative reporter for The Assembly. She is a ProPublica Local Reporting Network fellow focused on Hurricane Helene recovery.

Welcome to a regular feature of The Trailhead: My Favorite Trail. Each installment will feature a WNC trail. This week, Ren shared her favorite spot. Want to share your favorite trail for a future newsletter? Email me! 

Ren lives in Raleigh but loves hiking in Western North Carolina whenever she can. (Photo courtesy of Red Larson) 

The Trail: Charlies Bunion

Ren recommends a strenuous 8-mile roundtrip hike from Newfound Gap overlook to Charlies Bunion that is part of the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the NC/TN line.

Why it is my favorite 

"If I'm not foraging culinary mushrooms, my favorite hike is one that my 50-pound scenthound, Bo, has already mapped with his nose, and thus no longer wants to yank me down a mountain or my arm out of its socket," she said by email. 

 "I love the AT. The 8-mile roundtrip hike from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion is breathtaking, crosses back and forth over state borders, and might even deliver the sight of an elk. If I'm shorter on time - and feeling a populated hike- the one-mile uphill haul to Lookout Mountain always delivers."

Ren and Bo on the trail!  (Photo courtesy of Red Larson)